Genuinely Creepy Electronic Devices

Surprise! All those electronic devices you adore and rely on so much, like your TV and XBox can be just as much a security threat as a hacker who reads all your emails.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) sent a letter last week to the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department asking regulators to look into “always on” technology. The group cited technology from Microsoft, Amazon, Google and others as worrisome.

EPIC fears the average consumer isn’t aware that some of these devices are actually spying on them by recording their conversations even when the device seems to be turned off. The privacy implications of these devices, which they believe infringe on individual rights, is profound.

The companies say the devices are only engaged in “conversation” when triggered by a “hotword” or a certain gesture. However, those designs can’t be counted on to always work as planned and could cause accidental recordings.

If you’re worried about your privacy, here’s a list from EPIC that can help you audit your chances of staying anonymous.

Google Chrome

The browser is reportedly able to remotely install code that allows the software to listen to users without their knowledge. The code was originally designed to support Chrome’s new “OK, Google” hotword detection, which activates a computer response when you talk to it. However, some users claim the code was installed and activated on their computers without them giving their permission.

Google responded to these complaints on its Chromium developer boards. “While we do download the hotword module on startup, we do not activate it unless you opt in to hotwording,” the company wrote. Some developers question this claim.

Samsung SmartTV

The Samsung SmartTV has a built-in microphone that is equipped with voice recognition technology that allows users to give verbal commands to the TV. In order for Samsung to convert your speech to text, the voice commands are sent over the Internet to a third-party for interpretation.

However, since the TV is “always on,” the microphone is recording every word you’re saying at all times. Even in its SmartTV privacy policy, Samsung acknowledges that all spoken words, including personal or other sensitive information, are sent unencrypted to the third party.

Nest Cam

This Internet-streaming home security camera is a product of Nest Labs, which is now owned by Google. The camera comes with a microphone and streams video and sound directly to a consumer’s smart phone in real time. With the Nest “Aware” app, Google can record and save up to 30 days of video and audio.

Using the recording, the camera has the ability to alert users when an “unusual sound” is detected. Nest has the capability of distinguishing between unknown or known voices, which is an important security feature. But privacy advocates are fearful because the company does not disclose how the technology works or how much information the company collects.

Canary Connect

Canary Connect is another company that develops Internet-connected home security systems. The security device can store audio and video recordings from inside a user’s home for 90 days and can be set to one of three modes — “armed,” “disarmed” and “privacy.” Unless the device is in “privacy” mode, it will automatically begin to record when triggered by motion.

Users have complained that there isn’t an easy way to determine what mode the device is in. In addition, the interface doesn’t notify consumers when it is switching modes.

Microsoft’s Kinect

Microsoft has installed its “always on” voice and motion recorder, called Kinect, in its Xbox videogame consoles. When users say the word “Xbox,” the Kinect tracks and records the users’ voice and hand gestures in order to follow commands. In order for the device to know when to turn on, the console monitors conversations at all times.

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo, like other voice-activated computer programs, is triggered awake by the word “Alexa.” The device is constantly listening in on household conversations for the word, which then triggers the system to record and stream the recording to Amazon’s cloud for processing and storage. Amazon has not revealed what data the system collects and if it saves conversations or words said before “Alexa.” In addition, various companies are in the process of incorporating Alexa into their Internet-connected devices. Amazon has not revealed how much information it will have access to once these other companies begin to collect their own data.

Mattel’s “Hello Barbie”

A new high-tech Barbie has sparked a furious outcry from the advocacy group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. Through a Wi-Fi connection and a built-in microphone, the new Barbie is able to hold conversations with a child. Critics, in addition to the privacy concerns, are worried that Mattel is exploiting the children and using them for financial gain because they can learn the child’s likes and dislikes. Mattel counters that there are safety precautions put in place and that the toy fills a niche for children who want to be able to speak with their Barbie.

How big a security threat are your devices to you, in your own home?! What have you done to mitigate any threats if you do have these type of devices noted in the article or other similar devices?

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

I have talked with some of my family about these tech. abilities and what their electronic devices may or may not be doing without their knowing it is going on. As I think about their responses, I can only assume they have been drinking koolaide..

How would your ancestors look upon your life and deed's??
Pro Libertate

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it... Proverbs 22:3

Dont, my family is just like yours and thinks all this new technology is just so nice.

"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." - Ayn Rand

My Mileage Does Vary - MM

How can you be tried by your peers when 90% of the people are not your peers. - MM

I ditched the smart phone, dont use web cams or "connect" for the xbox or anything with a cameras really. I've heard about hidden cams and mics in smart tv's so mine is positioned to show nothing of importance in my house.
been reading about this TOR stuff... still a little lost on how to use it but might have to learn quick...

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

“Man’s mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not. His body is given to him, its sustenance is not. His mind is given to him, its content is not. To remain alive, he must act, and before he can act he must know the nature and purpose of his action. He cannot obtain his food without a knowledge of food and of the way to obtain it. He cannot dig a ditch-or build a cyclotron-without a knowledge of his aim and of the means to achieve it. To remain alive, he must think." John Galt (Ayn Rand)

Patents are not evil, profit is not a dirty word, providing for your family's future is not a sin, and what is mine is not your's just because you want it. Kellory.I have received NO secret government orders.(Watch for this notice to be removed)

When they start exploiting children that should be a flag for most. Is Barbie going to be asking if Mommy & Daddy have a gun? What do Mommy & Daddy do for fun? This is bad. This is preparing children for a world where an anonymous machine interacts with them and just scary stuff. This is like something out of those dystopian young adult novels I read.

Google chrome and all that other stuff I do not have nor would I. I am the nut that thinks google is trying to take over the world. I swear I should get t-shirts made.

“Man’s mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not. His body is given to him, its sustenance is not. His mind is given to him, its content is not. To remain alive, he must act, and before he can act he must know the nature and purpose of his action. He cannot obtain his food without a knowledge of food and of the way to obtain it. He cannot dig a ditch-or build a cyclotron-without a knowledge of his aim and of the means to achieve it. To remain alive, he must think." John Galt (Ayn Rand)

Patents are not evil, profit is not a dirty word, providing for your family's future is not a sin, and what is mine is not your's just because you want it. Kellory.I have received NO secret government orders.(Watch for this notice to be removed)

I put a Rule in my Router, that does NOT allow packets from all my Smart Devices to get passed the Router, but just get Logged to a File... It was very interesting to see just what each was sending, and to whom, when they tried to "Phone Home" ..... Then I setup a new set of Rules for each Device, that limit which things each device was allowed to Phone Home. We do not use the Speech Input on the the Samsung Smart 3D TV, so any of those packets get put in the BitBucket. The same goes for any Quirries about Streaming Movies or Songs. I set up another set of Rules, for the Yamaha 3D BlueRay Player, and Yamaha AV Receiver, that are also connected to my IP Network, for control Via our iPads. Since these devices can share IP Packets, over the HDMI V1.4 Cables that connect them altogether, I needed to set Rules, for each device, in the Router. These Rules are set by both IP Address, and MAC Address, to catch any outgoing Packets that might be spoofed via a bogus IP Address, that could be Hardcoded in firmware, but caught by the Outgoing MAC Address that is fixed in the Ethernet Controller. We have WiFi, and BlueTooth, in the cabin, but all WiFi and BlueTooth connections are done by MAC Address, and those Devices are specifically excluded from connections by the Access Points. This is how I Limit, my devices from connecting, to the outside World, for things I do not know about......

Last edited: Jul 17, 2015

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

Sounds great BT, but way above my pay grade. Wish I understood more about that stuff.

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government,our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." Samuel Adams, 1776
"I always believe in being prepared,even when I'm dressed in white tie and tails." Gen. George S. Patton,Jr

Sounds great BT, but way above my pay grade. Wish I understood more about that stuff.

Click to expand...

Agreed

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

It takes an IT Pro to understand what I wrote, but what it all means is that there are ways and means to deal with all these modern goodies.... And make them Family Safe...... And protect ones Family Privacy...

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government,our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." Samuel Adams, 1776
"I always believe in being prepared,even when I'm dressed in white tie and tails." Gen. George S. Patton,Jr